Author Archives: westerner54

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About westerner54

Hello. I'm Cindy, and I love to hike, bike and explore the outdoors - particularly the western U.S.

Winter Morning

Posted on December 14, 2012 by westerner54

Wintertime weather inversions are a common occurrence in Montana’s mountain valleys.  As high pressure builds, the cold air sinks into the valleys and stays there, resulting in cold, foggy mornings.  Usually you have to climb  two or three thousand feet … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Mexican Lime Jerky, Sweet and Spicy Jerky, and Snowshoeing in the Cold

Posted on December 10, 2012 by westerner54

8 below zero this morning, which meant that my plans for a long snowshoe along the Continental Divide might need rethinking.   So instead of subjecting my husband to hours of whining, I suggested a shorter trip and an afternoon making … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hiking, Montana, Outdoors | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Countdown to the the Solstice

Posted on December 3, 2012 by westerner54

The dark, cold, windy days of November and December are hard to love.  I crave the light, and these days that keep getting shorter and shorter are a true test of my resolve to live in the moment.    I count … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Life, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Posted on December 1, 2012 by westerner54

My favorite photos are ones like this, where I see something in the photograph that I didn’t notice at all when I was taking it. Didn’t see those bikes at all when I took the picture; the sign of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Montana, Photography | Tagged , | 2 Comments

In Ovando, Montana, Santa Wears Chaps

Posted on November 26, 2012 by westerner54

Here he comes!  See him?  He’s up there, on the highway! There he is!  Wait…that’s not Santa.  It’s his cousin, Cowboy Claus.  He’s helping Santa out. And of course there’s the traditional Christmas shootout: It’s kind of loud, so be … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Life, Montana, Travel | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

The Most Lovable Turkey in the World

Posted on November 21, 2012 by westerner54

I’m not a fan of poultry.   I know folks who keep chickens, and they love the little buggers.   But really, they’re not cute.  And turkeys…well turkeys definitely fall in the not cute category as well. But there was this one turkey…. … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Thanks

Posted on November 18, 2012 by westerner54

Thank you, Ramona, for nominating me last week for the “Unusual Excellence” award.  Musings by Ramona is an unusually excellent blog itself, and well worth a visit – so head on over there! A while ago I decided not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Life | Tagged , | 14 Comments

The Time I Didn’t Fall into the Canyon

Posted on November 13, 2012 by westerner54

I don’t think you’d call me a cavalier, “throw caution to the wind” type of person, especially when I’m heading out into the backcountry.  I doublecheck lists, check the weather, and seek out all the information I can find about … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Hiking, Nature, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

OK Ira Glass, This is Not a Guilty Pleasure. But it’s Still Embarrassing.

Posted on November 3, 2012 by westerner54

Ira Glass, in the New York Times Book Review, August 16 2012: “I don’t believe in guilty pleasures, I only believe in pleasures. People who call reading detective fiction or eating dessert a guilty pleasure make me want to puke. … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Humor, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Small Town Montana: Stops in Anaconda and Deer Lodge

Posted on October 29, 2012 by westerner54

There’s a stark – and wonderful –  contrast between Montana’s open, expansive, wild landscape and the small towns that dot the countryside.  The towns, founded to support hardworking miners, ranchers, farmers, loggers and railroaders, are gritty and rundown; they were … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Life, Montana, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , | 13 Comments